23rd Armoured Brigade, Royal Tank Corps WWII.

23rd Army Tank Brigade was formed at the outbreak of WWII as an independent Infantry tank brigade. Due to shortages in new tanks, the brigade received only a handful of light tanks up to November 1940. At this time, the brigade was reorganized and redesignated the 23rd Armoured Brigade and was attached to the 8th Armored Division. By November 1941, the brigade was fully equipped with 18 (A12) Matilda CS and 120 Valentine tanks.
The 23rd Armoured Brigade shipped out to Egypt in May 1942. Upon arrival on 6 July 1942, the brigade was detached from the 8th Armored Division and on 22 July 1942 two regiments (40th RTR and 46th RTR) with 106 tanks attacked German positions at point 59 on Ruweistat Ridge during the 1st Battle of El Alamein. This baptism of fire proved to be a bloody failure. Despite overrunning 1 German infantry battalion, a 21st Panzer Division counterattack restored their positions and the brigade withdrew with a mere 7 tanks.
The 2nd Battle of El Alamein found each regiment of the brigade supporting an infantry division in the opening phase. once again, heavy losses were incurred and 23rd Armoured Brigade remained in Egypt to refit while Montgomery pursued Rommel.
In February 1943, 23rd Armoured Brigade was in Tunisia with XXX Corps and fought in most of their battles there until the Axis surrender in May 1943. The brigade then converted to Sherman tanks for the rest of the war. In July 1943, the brigade took part in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, and in September 1943, landed at Salerno on the Italian mainland. The Brigade then fought up to the Gustav Line by December 1943. In January 1944, the 46th RTR detached and was landed at Anzio under command of the 1st Infantry Division.
In May 1944, the brigade returned to Egypt, then was sent to Greece in October 1944 to help stabilize the situation there after the Germans withdrew and a civil war erupted. They remained there beyond VE Day.

OOB
40th RTR, 1939-1945
46th RTR, 1939-1945
50th RTR, 1939-1945
1st King's Dragoon Guards RC (Recce), 9/1943-1944, Dingo, Daimler, and Staghound A/C's
121st Field Artillery Regiment RA, 1942 Egypt.